Govt to fix time-frame for probe & trial of acid attack cases

With an estimated 400 cases of acid attacks registered every month across the country, government will soon fix a time-frame for investigation and trial of such cases and ensure maximum punishment to the guilty. Addressing a seminar on 'Empowering Acid Survivors', Home Minister Rajnath Singh said his Ministry is working for suitable amendments in CrPC for time-bound investigation and trial of all acid attack cases. "I have already written to the state governments. We will ensure that those involved in such crimes get maximum punishment," he said at the seminar which was attended many acid attack victims. As per Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013, a person convicted for acid attack is sentenced to imprisonment for ten years or life. The Home Ministry had earlier said that all such cases where maximum punishment of life imprisonment or death sentence is possible will be categorised as heinous crimes. Singh said government has proposed to bring suitable amendments in law to fix time-frame for disposal of appeals by courts especially in cases of heinous crimes including acid attack to ensure speedy justice. The Home Minister said the government has already taken a number of steps to regulate sale of acid, increase punishment for perpetrators of acid attack and compensation for the victims etc. PTI